Band Interview – Audrey Ripper (Metal 2 the Masses Essex 2019)

Shock Rockers, Audrey Ripper, will play in Heat Five of Metal 2 the Masses Essex 2019. They face off against Elysium Sky, Osmium Guillotine and Spidervayne on the 15th of March. The event takes place at The Soundhouse which is at The Bull, Colchester, CO3 3ES.

Each band will be giving their all to try to progress in the competition where the winner receives an amazing opportunity. A much coveted slot playing on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Festival, 2019. GBHBL are pleased to bring you a short interview with Audrey Ripper to help introduce them further to the metal masses.

Have a read, enjoy and make sure you get down to The Soundhouse on the 15th of March to give them some support.

1 – Why Audrey Ripper? Where did the name come from?

Audrey Ripper came from the amalgamation of 2 people who were mentally unwell one (Audrey Hepburn) remembered for being a beautiful talented actress and model and the other a vile evil serial killer. It’s to show that history and society is so selective with its memory and what it wants to see. And that illness can affect anyone despite what their exterior looks like.

2 – Tell us a little about Audrey Ripper. How long have you been playing together? Who is in the band? Where are you from? How did you meet?

The band as a whole have been around for 2 years. We currently consist of 4 members who are:
Tom Trigg (Captain Stress) – Vocals
Luke Megran (Ruggles) – Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Sam Long (Lil’ Lem) – Bass Guitar
Max Long (Lil’er Lem) – Drums

We live quite far away from each other, Tom lives in Braintree, Sam and Max are from Maldon and Luke is from Orsett. We’ve had a few personnel changes over the 2 years. So when the original lead guitarist left the band, Tom put an advert on a website called join my band and who was the fortunately unfortunate one to answer the ad but Luke. So he was in the band for just a few months before the drummer and the ex rhythm guitarist left and then that’s when Sam introduced us to his brother Max. And it has remained like this for some time.

3 – What artists, metal or otherwise, have influenced you and your sound?

I think we’re a mix of genres, we definitely have a strong metal/heavy rock vibe but also with some gothic and punky elements to our sound as well so it’s hard to put us completely in one box.

4 – With so many genres and sub genres around these days, what genre would you put yourself in?

We have been called so many genres by people who see our music their way. We would put ourselves in the “Shock Rock” category but recently we have taken on a subtle change with our new music and delved into the punk scene a bit. But we have also gone heavier with another single that’s on the way.

5 – What will you bring to the Metal to the Masses heats? What can music lovers expect and how are you going to win their support on the night?

We are going to bring a full visual show, with props smoke machines and a little theatrics too. We are going to be something for the eyes as well as the ears.

6 – Any horror fans in the band? What are some of your favourite horror movies or books?

Tom and Luke love zombie films; Evil dead, planet terror and The Resident Evil franchise are a few that immediately jump out at us. But the classics are also unavoidable to mention; the omen and the exorcist being two of my favourite legendary films. As for books I like something a little more subtlety sinister 1984 and A brave new world are my 2 favourite books of all time. So applicable to modern society and both were wrote 50+ years ago, prophetic almost.

7 – How about games? What’s your console or game of choice?

We’re not massive gamers in the band although Luke is enjoying the new Resident Evil 2 that just came out. Tom loves some nostalgic games from the PS2 era, Simpsons hit and run, Destroy all humans and ratchet and clank 3 are my favourites and I’ve completed each many, many times over

8 – Have you been to Bloodstock Festival before?

Unfortunately not, it’s always been on our list of festivals but none of us can ever get to any festivals that we want to go to.

9 – Where can fans check out your music, merch and find out more about you?

Spotify, Google play, Soundcloud, Deezer. And our website is due for a total re-vamp soon so keep an eye out for that to find all our current and upcoming merch.

10 – Aside from hopefully playing Bloodstock Festival, what else do you have lined up for 2019? Any releases due or tours/gigs/festivals line up?

We have two singles almost ready to go and are planning a music video shoot for them over the summer months. We also have a fair few gigs booked up already all over the country, so head to our Facebook page for details of when and where to find us!

GBHBL would like to thank Audrey Ripper for taking the time to answer these questions and we wish them all the best in their heat at Metal 2 the Masses Essex. Find out more about Audrey Ripper at their Facebook page, Instagram and on Twitter. Keep an eye out for their website here too, where you can check out some music and keep track of news on upcoming shows and releases.

Importantly, get yourself down to the venue on the 15th of March and throw them some support.